The 50 Most Innovative Health, Fitness, and Happiness Startups

The 50 Most Innovative Health, Fitness, and Happiness Startups

Maintaining good health means asking a lot of questions. How far did I run this morning? Why am I tossing and turning for hours every night? How many calories were in that Chipotle burrito? But when counting every refried bean just won’t work, it can be hard to find answers. Luckily, there are at least 50 simple solutions to our health- and wellness-related quandaries.

We’re talking apps that can see inside food packaging; personal trainers that fit in our back pocket; and bloggers who dig up the latest research on the science of meditation. And while each of these startups is different, they all remind us that — when it comes to health, fitness, and happiness — we’re not alone. Help, it turns out, is just a click, a tap, or a phone call away. Check out what these companies, ranked from 1 to 50, have to offer and tell us which ones are your personal favorites.

There are plenty of awesome health and wellness startups out there, and we had a hard time choosing just 50 to feature. To narrow down the list, we looked only at companies with about 50 or fewer employees. We also considered the startups’ growth over the last few years, presence on social media, and press coverage. So while these are hardly the only 50 startups out there, in our opinion they are spearheading the most exciting developments in health and fitness

1. MyFitnessPalManaging body weight and eating healthy are a lot easier when you can keep track of what exactly you're eating. MyFitnessPal is a tool for just that purpose, letting users track their daily activity (and calorie burn) and food intake (calorie consumption). That way, it's possible to see how much you've consumed, how much you've burned, and how much you have left to chow down on. They have a huge database with nutrition facts for hundreds of thousands of foods, including both popular brands like KIND Foods and basic staples like brown rice (broken down by brand, too!). Plus, it's super simple to add new foods with the handy dandy barcode scanner. The system’s also smart — it remembers things you eat frequently for quick n' easy logging! Photo: Gary Sexton Photography

2. RunKeeperWant to track that run, hike, or bike ride? Look no further. One of the most popular fitness-tracking apps, RunKeeper lets users track distance, length, and calories for their workouts and then share and compare stats on social media. The company recently released a sleek redesign that allows for easier photo sharing and faster updates. (Plus it’s super pretty.) And non-iPhone users, don't fret; they've got an Android app, too. Photo: RunKeeper

3. RuntasticThis European startup is aiming high to become a full-service health and fitness platform. Runtastic offers an array of online services and apps that measure, track, and analyze data. Users can also connect to social media platforms and interact with friends. Many of their apps (like PushUps and Cycling) cost a few bucks, but their most popular running app, “runtastic” is free and fun to use. Photo: Runtastic

4. EndomondoWhether we want to run, skate, ski, or cycle, Endomondo makes it easier to track the way we train. Created by three management-consultants-turned-entrepreneurs, the Endomondo Sports Tracker is a free GPS-assisted iPhone app that tracks any outdoor sports adventures and helps monitor users’ performance over time. Feeling social? Challenge someone to a race, or let others cheer you on — endomondo.com is where 13 million-plus users come to connect and sweat it out with friends. Photo: Endomondo

5. Food52After working together on The Essential New York Times Cookbook, professional food writers Amanda Hesser and Merrill Stubbs were ready for a new project. They set a goal to create an entirely reader-sourced cookbook in 52 weeks (hence the title of the website). Through online recipe contests, they soon had enough recipes for a book, which was published in 2011. Even better, they created a community where home cooks could be appreciated and interact with each other, discuss food news, and, of course, exchange recipes. Photo by Amanda Merrill

6. StravaCreated by athletes for athletes, Strava takes basic fitness tracking up a notch with its sophisticated approach to analyzing runs and rides. Not sure what to make of that last solo effort? Check out yesterday’s uphill climb (or any other section of your ride) to see how it stacks up against another cyclist’s (or your ride last week). Connect via Garmin, Android, or iPhone, and hit the road with a little camaraderie — and some healthy competition — in hand. And for those lucky enough to work at Strava HQ in San Francisco, five weeks' vacation fits just right with the company's belief that there's always time for a good run, ride, or climb. Photo: Strava

8. FoodilyIn 2011, former Yahoo execs Andrea Cutright and Hillary Mickell launched Foodily, a social, highly searchable recipe database. The site (Internet-speak for Food-I-Love-You) is different from other recipe resources: It allows users to search by ingredient, cuisine, dietary restrictions, and source, among other criteria. Each recipe comes with detailed instructions, multiple photos, and plenty of share buttons for social media sites like Facebook, StumbleUpon, Twitter, and Pinterest. Foodily lets wannabe chefs get as specific as they want — for example, it's possible to search for a gluten-free vegetable pizza recipe that excludes green peppers. Score for picky eaters everywhere! The website includes recipes from diverse sources from mommy bloggers to celebrity chefs. In late 2011 Foodily came out with an app version of the site, which was recently updated in Fall 2012. Photo: Foodily

9. FitocracyIt all started with two gamers and an idea: What if there was a way to take the fun of video games and apply that to fitness? That's the question Fitocracy founders Brian Wang and Dick Talens set out to solve when they launched Fitocracy, one of the web's largest workout trackers and social fitness platforms. With hundreds of thousands of users and a slick social feed to keep up with what your friends are doing (and lifting), Fitocracy is making it fun to earn points for working out and keeping tabs on your fitness. And with a free app now available for iPhone and Android, it's easy to log those reps in the gym. Photo: Fitocracy

10. WithingsManaging weight is one of the key goals for many exercisers. Withings hopes to be your one-stop shop for intelligent, digitally minded weight tracking and overall health (they have also branched into nutrition for newborns). From blood pressure to exercise to a line of wireless scales, this company is right at the crossroads of health and technology in the best way possible. Photo: Withings

11. Charity MilesGearing up for a workout? Put every mile to good use with Charity Miles, an app that automatically donates your journey to a charitable organization. Users choose whether they’re going for a run, walk, or bike ride, and then choose one of several partner charities. The free app automatically calculates how far they travel. Charity Miles donates $0.25 for every walking or running mile and $0.10 for every mile biked. The small team has been able to attract big names to donate and only looks poised to grow. Photo: Charity Miles

12. GreatistMaybe we’re biased, but in our opinion there’s no better place to find high-quality, easy-to-read, down-to-earth articles about health and wellness. It’s all about making one better choice every day, whether that’s chowing on some superfoods or taking a minute to meditate. A community of Greatists around the world is working on spreading the word about health and fitness, and how easy it can be when there are resources like guides to bodyweight exercises and ways to beat anxiety. The good news? You’re already here and on your way to better health! Photo by Jordan Shakeshaft

13. NatureBoxWho doesn't love snacks? And healthy snacks are even better. A monthly membership to NatureBox gets you a box of healthy snacks once per month, and every item in the box is approved by their personal nutritionist. What's more, every box you buy helps others around the world, too. For each box sold, NatureBox donates one meal to help feed hungry children through their partnership with Feeding America. Photo by Erica Michelsen

14. LoseIt!LoseIt! takes a holistic approach to wellness with its weight, diet, and fitness tracker. After setting weight goals and personal daily calorie budgets, the app lets you track calorie intake and burn, while also tracking your sleep and exercise, macronutrient intake, and body measurements. You can even look at your data on a graph to track progress. The social features allow access to support from friends and fellow LoseIt! users, and social challenges let you choose whether to make your journey a competition. Photo: LoseIt!

15. HealthTapThrough its Interactive Health Network and mobile apps, HealthTap works to connect doctors with patients, provide an online platform for medical professionals, and give users instant access to an ever-expanding library of trusted health information. The network allows patients to find doctors (ranked according to the accuracy of their answers on the site and by how many referrals they receive) and to ask medical questions of specific physicians or an entire network. It’s a smart way to ensure that both doctors and patients have access to the most accurate, up-to-date health information. Photo: HealthTap

16. FooducateWe've all heard it before: You are what you eat. So what are you if you can't even understand what ingredients go into your food? Fooducate aims to help people better analyze food labels and retain the important information without all the other noise. The Fooducate app allows users to scan barcodes to get a highlight of each product's good and bad attributes, compare it to similar products, and possibly pick a healthier alternative. The Fooducate team's made up of parents, dietitians, and tech-lovers, all of whom are passionate about helping people navigate the supermarket in a smarter way. Photo: iphoneheadlines.com

17. HealthguruHealthguru is making a name for itself as the leading destination for health videos on the Web. It’s like YouTube’s kid sibling — if it were dedicated strictly to health education. Healthguru’s extensive video library focuses on a wide array of health-related topics, including diet and fitness, mental and emotional health, sexual health, pregnancy, baby health, and information on more than 125 different health conditions (so far). Videos are reviewed for medical accuracy, objectivity, and balance before being included in the library. The goal is to provide engaging content that motivates viewers to learn more about their health. Photo: Healthguru

18. PatientsLikeMePatientsLikeMe launched in 2004, after two brothers who helped found the company discovered their other brother had been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease. The idea is that visitors can form communities based on common health issues, whether that’s insomnia, arthritis, or lower back pain. The best part is there’s lots of data, so it’s possible to see which treatments people are using and how well they worked. There’s even room for science nerds to search for current research on their specific health conditions using the clinical trials tool. And in an awesome new development, PLM now features an open science platform where users can track the progression of chronic diseases and share that data with medical researchers. Photo: PatientsLikeMe

19. MapMyFitnessThere’s no need to drag those feet on the ’mill when we’ve got 70 million global routes to choose from. Founded in 2005, the Austin, Texas-based tech company powers one of the largest fitness-focused social networks on the web, providing them with a range of GPS-enabled technologies to map, track, and share their workouts online. (Check out MapMyRun, MapMyRide, and MapMyWalk to get started.) Bonus: MapMyFitness also offers nutrition tracking, training guides, and event listings to help people of all levels reach their next fitness goal. Photo: MapMyFitness

20. EmpowHEREmpowHER is founded on a simple mission: to improve women's health and change their lives. It may sound simple, but it’s no easy feat. To make an impact on women’s health, EmpowHER developed a website providing one of the largest women’s health and wellness content libraries on the web, as well as the biggest online forum for women discussing these topics. The site also boasts a “24 Hour Promise,” to its visitors, who are guaranteed a response to any health question within (you guessed it!) 24 hours. Founded in 2008 by well-known women’s health advocate Michelle King Robson, the site aims to give women the information they need to take their health into their own hands — and a dedicated community who’ll support them along the way. Photo: EmpowHER

21. DailyMileWant to not only track and share your workouts, but find some motivation along the way? Then check out this social training site, perfect for endurance junkies like runners, cyclists, and triathletes. Users log in their workout and how they felt (tired, blah, good, great!) and then broadcast it to the world (okay, the Internet…). Other cool features include adding friends and commenting on workouts in the newsfeed, and synching Garmin or Nike+ data right into your profile. Photo by Cindy Neuberger

22. KeasIf holing up in a cubicle, staring at a computer screen, and grabbing a few slices of pizza for lunch sounds like a typical workday, Keas is here to the rescue. The corporate wellness company aims to improve employee health by having people sign up for fitness and nutrition challenges in online teams. The “Farmville for corporate wellness,” Keas is one of the most successful examples of gamifying health and fitness. Photo: Keas

23. Misfit WearablesOver a decade ago, Sonny Vu and Sridhar Iyengar founded AgraMatrix — the mobile health company that started making glucose test strips and eventually created the first medical device add-on approved by Apple for its iPhone. In 2011, the health-techies teamed up with former Apple CEO John Sculley to create Misfit Wearables. Together, they dreamed up the small but mighty Shine fitness tracker. It can be worn anywhere, and syncs to a phone screen (no cords required). The miniature device —slightly larger than a quarter — is crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum, it's water-resistant, and it has a battery that lasts four months. Other trackers aren’t always pretty, but the Shine’s getting a lot of buzz for its sleek, beautiful design, and its simple functions (like measuring steps, swimming strokes, and pedal movements on bikes). Photo: Misfit Wearables

24. NoomNoom believes in one of Greatist's core tenets: Health and fitness should be easier for everyone. The company accomplishes that goal by interweaving technology into weight management and fitness tracking thanks to an array of apps designed to monitor weight loss, cardio, calorie intake, and even personal records. An example of an awesome app: Noom WeightLoss Coach, which offers users personalized suggestions about eating healthy and getting exercise. Dating back to 2005, Noom considers itself a tech company that's doing so much more. Photo: Noom

25. GymPactLog gym time or lose money — that’s the idea behind GymPact, a free iPhone and Android app. Set a weekly workout commitment along with a wager between $5 and $20 per missed goal, and you’ll be sure to get that money-maker into gear. The upside: Making cash for showing up (and getting in awesome shape of course). Photo: GymPact

26. EveryMoveEveryMove is one of the coolest, easiest rewards system for your health. The more each individual does to improve his or her health, the more the rewards they get from insurance companies, employers, and brands. Founded in 2010 by Russell Benaroya, who’s on a mission to improve the health of 10 million people in 10 years (woah), and Marcelo Calbucci (the tech brains of the operation), Everymove is a fast-growing startup based in downtown Seattle. The rewards platform partners with apps, fitness trackers, fitness studios, weight-loss programs, and the like to create some seriously healthy people. Photo: EveryMove

27. EverestFounded on the belief that everyone desires to create a better self — and that better selves equal a better world — the Everest app is dedicated to helping people plan, organize, and fulfill their goals and dreams. The app allows users to name a dream (anything from learning Italian to hiking on all seven continents), track the steps they need to fulfill it, visually document their journey, and connect and learn from other people who have taken steps toward a similar dream. It’s like a diary, daily planner, support system, and photographer all rolled into one! Photo: Everest

28. TastespottingWay back in 2007, before Pinterest or Instagram, Sarah Gim created a forum for people to show off what they were cooking and eating. Tastespotting was one of the first "food porn" websites, and due to its highly selective application process, it's still one of the most exclusive. The site is so sought-after by aspiring (and established) food bloggers around the world that Gim receives over a thousand recipe submissions every day. Clicking on a swoon-worthy cupcake, omelet, or lentil stew on Tastespotting takes the reader to an outside food blog, where the recipe is posted. It may not be the best site for actionable recipes, but for beautiful food photography, nothing beats the original. Photo: www.tastespotting.com

29. Well + GoodNew York may be the fast-paced city that never sleeps, lined with hot dog and pretzel stands, but it’s also a Mecca of fitness trends, healthy eats, and stress-busting services. Well+Good tries to capture the city’s healthy side, producing content that keeps New Yorkers up-to-date on the latest healthful happenings in the city. The site’s also got tips for workout and nutrition (like healthy dishes with 20 grams of protein), so readers don’t have to be from New York to enjoy the site. Photo: Well+Good

30. FitISTIf you can't get enough of fitness classes, managing memberships across multiple gyms can be tough — not to mention expensive. FITiST allows users to book and take classes from a variety of studios and gyms, often at a significant discount. Users pick from 10 one- to three month-long plans and use FITiST to schedule their workouts across locations. FITiST also allows users to snap up last-minute spots in popular classes, making the dreaded "stand-by" list a thing of the past. Photo: FitIST

31. ShopWellEveryone knows a score of 100 is ace, while something sub-40 is less than desirable. ShopWell helps build a healthier grocery list by ranking every food with a number between 1 and 100. You enter your items, and the app — available both mobile and online — offers you "trade-ups" to help make healthier choices. The team's passion for food and nutrition drive their desire to help others make healthier choices and easily incorporate those changes into their daily lives. Photo: ShopWell

32. RetrofitAfter Jeff Hyman and his wife changed their lives with a team of experts at a weight-loss resort, Hyman left his desk job and founded Retrofit in 2010. The Chicago-based, data-driven weight management company (formerly called Strong Suit Wellness) helps users lose weight with a real-world approach, tackling obesity one working professional at a time. The program means business: It’s 12 months long, includes a behavior coach, dietitian, and exercise physiologist all with the intention to help users lose the lbs and keep them off for the long haul. With traditional diet programs like Jenny Craig and Weight Watchers, Retrofit aims for a more well-rounded take with attainable loss (10-15 percent body weight). Photo: Retrofit

33. BasisThis San Francisco startup, founded in 2004 by Nadeem Kassam and managed by CEO Jef Holove, is all about its product: the Basis Band. The high-tech wrist-wear measures body metrics such as heartbeat, temperature, movement, and galvanic skin response (fancy speak for sweat levels). All that info allows users to glean insights on their stress level, fitness, activity level, and calories burned from an online personal dashboard. Then the fun begins. Basis has gamified its band by allowing users to earn badges, share stats, and compete with friends, all in the name of motivation. With rivals including BodyMedia Fit and FitBit, Basis has some strong competition in the fitness tracker realm, but it was recognized by Popular Science as the Best of CES (Consumer Electronics Show) 2013: Product of the Future. Photo: Basis

34. BuluBoxAfter running the San Francisco Half-Marathon one year, Stephanie and Paul Jarrett collected tons of sample-size packets of vitamins and nutritional supplements from race vendors' tents. Inspired by the plethora of nutritional products, they decided to find a way to help people discover products to live healthier, without committing to buying a huge (and often expensive) jar or bottle. In 2012, the Jarretts launched Bulu Box, a service that sends customers four to five carefully curated samples of vitamins and supplements each month to find the right fit. In February 2013, they created a specific weight loss box with products geared to help people shed a few pounds safely and healthfully. In addition to providing a "variety pack" of nutritional samples, Bulu Box also lets customers review products and earn points to buy full-sized versions of their favorites. Photo: BuluBox

35. WahandaWahanda wha? Wahanda is a Native American word meaning “great spirit and creator,” and the folks behind the service are passionate about wellness. The health and beauty marketplace connects consumers, businesses, and professionals. Users can find spas and health centers along with ratings, reviews, and rates. Interested in a massage? Learn more about its benefits and find a place near you. Photo: yourhiddenpotential.co.uk

36. Blood, Sweat and CheersLove staying active but not always sure where do go for a fun sweat session? Blood, Sweat and Cheers is the daily email written to cover the best in active fun for you and your friends. With both national and NYC-specific editions of their newsletter, the company focuses on writing fun content on everything from the latest in fitness trends to the best in gear, bars, and gyms. It's a daily guide to what's hip for the young and active — along with the occasional recommendations for boozing after the game. Photo: Blood, Sweat and Cheers

37. FarmigoSome of us wish we could be eco-friendly, organic-only locavores, but just don’t have the time to make a trip to the farmer’s market every week. That’s where Farmigo, the first-ever online farmer’s market, comes in. Founded in 2009, the company launched its online delivery service towards the end of 2012. Just select which items you want and get matched to a local farm; the delivery comes within two days. (Sorry, no farm animals are included.) Photo: Kiva.org

38. ZeoHow many Brown University alums does it take to revolutionize the way we track our sleep? Zeo is proof there’s a smarter way to get a good night's rest. The product is both a mobile app and a fancy piece of headband technology that monitors when the wearer is getting deep or light sleep every night. A built-in coach helps analyze the data and increase quality shut-eye. From its humble beginnings, Zeo has managed to carve out a space in the growing sleep market. Photo: myzeo.com

39. DailyBurnTake your trainer anywhere — literally. For $10 a month, Daily Burn users get access to guided video workouts from a variety of trainers and disciplines, viewable on any device with an internet connection (yep, even your smartphone!). The company provides tons of workouts accessible to all fitness levels, and most require minimal equipment easy to pick up at a local sporting goods store. There's also nutritional support and a recipe database available through a program called Daily Burn Ignite. Need more incentive? The first 30 days are free. Photo: DailyBurn

40. MoreLoveLettersThe “About” page for More Love Letters begins with these words: “The world doesn’t need another website. Not another network. Not another app.” It seems counter-intuitive to be reading these words on, well, a website — until you understand what More Love Letters is really all about. And what is that? “Love. Pure, old-fashioned, never goes out of style Love.” More specifically, it’s about the art and the heart of old-fashioned letter writing. The startup encourages people to step away from the Internet (if even for a few minutes) and write handwritten love letters to friends and strangers in need all over the world. Letter writers can also request a letter for someone in their life who needs a little extra love. It’s a simple idea — and a beautiful way of disseminating better mental health to the world. Photo by Tiffany Farley

41. ShapeUpFounded in 2006 by Dr. Rajiv Kumar and Dr. Brad Weinberg while they were studying medicine at Brown University, Shapeup is at the forefront of the employee wellness industry. The pair isn’t going for world peace, but they are striving for world health. Early on in their clinical rotations, the two future docs noticed a trend amongst their patients who got healthier by exercising more, eating better, and dropping a little weight: They got social. Instead of going it alone, the success stories found support from friends, colleagues, and family. So the docs got down to business to create wellness programs based on social networking to motivate positive long-term behavior. Photo: ShapeUp

42. Omada HealthWe’ve written about Omada Health before, when they rolled out Prevent, the first-ever online platform to fight diabetes. But we’re confident we haven’t seen the last of them. The Silicon Valley startup uses the power of technology to design preventative health programs accessible to anyone, anywhere. The company views guidance and social support as key elements in making healthier habits stick, and the social component (as well as scientific backing) is a key part of every program they develop. Photo: benchfix.com

43. WelloDuring their first week at Stanford, two business students and fitness fanatics teamed up as ping-pong partners. A few years later, in 2011, Ann Scott and Leslie Silverglide created Wello with one simple intention — to make fitness easier. Wello uses live video to provide personal, training booked in 25, 40, or 55-minute sessions (from $8 to $65 per class). Each and every trainer is certified, and the fitness options range from yoga and pilates to CrossFit. The main selling point of Wello is that users can work out with a trainer outside of a gym. As the first platform offering live online personal training over two-way video, and a Rolodex of over 150 fitness professionals to work out with, Wello’s in a league of its own. Photo: Wello

44. ZipongoWhile helping launch a child weight management clinic at Boston Medical Center, Jason Langheier discovered that many families lacked the resources to put together healthy meals. In 2011, Langheier launched Zipongo, a site that combines healthy meal plans, digital coupons for local grocery stores, and nutritional information and recommendations from the Institute of Medicine and Dietary Guidelines for Americans. In late 2012, Zipongo launched the Healthy Foods Savings, Coupons & Grocery Lists apps so the site's users can stay organized and healthy on the go. Photo: Zipongo

45. AliveCorAliveCor is one of the first heart-monitoring iPhone apps to be approved by the FDA. That solid backing (and millions in funding) have helped the low-cost, tech-forward company achieve its goal: Placing important vitals and statistics in the palm of your hand. The device measures Lead I ECGs and is useful for anyone interested in tracking their health. Moreover, it's an inexpensive and efficient way for patients to track their vitals from their home whether they're post-surgery or just looking to get better. Photo: juhansonin

46. LifeKrazeWe all love giving props to our friends, and LifeKraze turns that encouragement into virtual currency. The Chattanooga, Tennessee-based company lets users post 160-character status updates throughout the day to mark their achievements big and small. Users are also given 300 daily points to distribute to others for their accomplishments, and those points can be redeemed for discounts and special deals on a variety of products from the company's partners. Have some social good on the mind? There are also options to turn those points into donations for non-profits. The company has apps for iPhone and (new!) Android, so users can post statuses and receive points in real time. Photo: play.google

47. Blue ApronAnyone should be able to come home and cook a healthy dinner. But let's be honest: sometimes life gets in the way of maintaining a normal meal schedule. Blue Apron takes the tedious parts out of preparing dinner by delivering the ingredients (pre-measured!) right to your door, along with detailed cooking instructions. The name comes from a decades-old French culinary tradition (young chefs wear a blue apron), which iconic chefs (Ms. Julia Child included) have pointed to as a symbol for lifelong learning. Photo: Blue Apron

48. FitOrbitSometimes a little individualization is the key. That’s why FitOrbit pairs each member with a trainer based on personality and fitness goals. For a fraction of the usual personal training cost, expect a well-tailored plan complete with personalized workouts, meals, feedback, and motivation. And there's plenty more where that comes from: At the FitOrbit office in L.A., the team rallies for fitness-focused team outings, Friday in-house training sessions, and the FitOrbit Office Olympics. Photo: Samrod Photography

49. SworkitIs it worth it? Let me Sworkit. The app, available in regular and pro versions, lets users personalize circuit training routines based on which parts of the body they want to work and how much time they have. The program's designed to keep things interesting (and challenging!), so users never quite know which move is coming next. It's a great example of the way new technology makes exercise appealing and approachable for a wide range of fitness levels. Photo: Sworkit

50. BlissMoIt’s like Santa Claus went wild in Whole Foods. Every month, Blissmo subscribers get a box of organic, eco-friendly products such as granola, protein bars, juice, and peanut butter. Offices and families can sign up for specially curated boxes, and there are options for gluten-free deliveries. Photo: BlissMo

Which startup on this list is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below or tweet the author directly at @ShanaDLebowitz.